During a media reform discussion, journalists demanded a review of the Media Reform Commission’s recommendations, the introduction of a “No Wage Board, No Media” policy, and a minimum monthly salary of Tk 35,000.
Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam welcomed many of the commission’s recommendations but strongly opposed the proposal to scrap the clause on “hurting religious sentiments.”
“Religion-related violence is a serious issue, and penalties must remain in place to prevent it,” he said. He endorsed the “No Wage Board, No Media” proposal and added that editors and publishers should not hold union positions, as it conflicts with policy. Journalists, he said, should be certified to prevent “pseudo-journalism” from harming the profession.
He also suggested security deposits: Tk 10–15 crore for online media, Tk 20 crore for newspapers, and Tk 20–25 crore for TV channels.